Last weekend, I had the privilege of seeing one of my former students perform in her first professional role out of acting school, in the cast of High School Musical at Salford's Lowry theatre.
It was an infectiously enjoyable couple of hours with an audience made up of all ages, many sporting fan-made t-shirts and costumes. There was a clever, immersive set, a high-energy cast, and cameos by original cast member Kaycee Stroh (originally Martha, now playing Ms Darbus). Parent-age pop sensations Jason Donovan and Harry Judd only added to its appeal.
Refusing to stick to the status quo
For those of you who don't know the franchise, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Disney powerhouse musical hit which has spawned three feature-length films and numerous stage tours.
When did you last get lost in a good book?
A YouGov poll in 2025 stated that 40% of UK adults have not read or listened to a single book …